Chelsea confirmed on 11th June that Scolari would be their new manager, shortly after Portugal beat Czech Republic in the 2nd Matchday of Group A. Portugal then went on to lose 3-2 to Germany in the quarter-finals.

The president of the Portuguese Football Federation (PFF), Gilberto Madail, believes that Chelsea’s timing of the announcement showed a lack of respect and that they should of informed the PFF of their plans.

Madail said,”It wasn’t the best moment for us for Chelsea to announce Scolari’s appointment.”

He continued,”I know Scolari had nothing to do with it and I was surprised, not by the appointment - because Scolari is a great coach - but at the timing chosen.

“I wish Chelsea would have consulted us before so that we could have chosen a better time. The club could’ve told the federation in advance.

“We tried (to keep him) … but I felt Scolari really wanted a change in his life. Even if we found (the money from sponsors), we wouldn’t get close to the conditions offered to him.”

The Portuguese were outclassed 3-2 by the Germans in Basle, but Scolari is refusing to blame the announcement of his agreement to join Chelsea, instead admitting that it was his side’s defensive mistakes that cost them a place in the last four.

He said, “If I had not announced we would have lost anyway. We lost because we did not do things right or with more quality. It has nothing to do with that.

“I am responsible for choosing the players and the tactics so the main person responsible for Portugal not being in the last four is the coach.

“We made mistakes for the goals, though I can argue that on the third goal there was a foul. But that was a mistake, because we can’t wait for the referee to signal a foul.

“I’m upset because I think Portugal had the ability to be among the best four (teams). But we made mistakes today and couldn’t get the result.

“We lost but we played the match in a way that pleased us. In general, I’m satisfied with what the players did in the competition and I’m proud.”

Three-time winners Germany started the game brightly and created several chances, causing problems for the defence of the Euro 2004 finalists Portugal. And the Germans got their reward on 22 minutes, when Bayern Munich’s Bastian Schweinsteiger - who was back in the side after his one match suspension - broke away from his marker Paulo Ferreira, and got on the end of a Lukas Podolski cross, smashing the ball past Portugal keeper Ricardo.

The Germans doubled the scoring 4 minutes later, after Christoph Metzelder was fouled by Armando Petit 40 yards from goal. The scorer of the first goal, Bastian Schweinsteiger, took the free kick and floated the ball to the far post, where Schweinsteiger’s Bayern Munich teammate Miroslav Klose beat the offside trap to headed the ball past Ricardo.

However, the Germans’ lead was halved five minutes before the interval when from the edge of his box, Deco began a counter-attack and played a long ball to Simao Sabrosa. Simao then passed to Cristiano Ronaldo, whose shot was blocked by Germany keeper Jens Lehmann, only for the ball to deflect back out to Nuno Gomes, who made no mistake of his golden opportunity and hit a left-footed shot past Lehmann and in off Metzelder’s outstretched leg.

Germany put more pressure on the Portuguese just after the hour mark, when Michael Ballack got on the end of another Schweinsteiger free kick, and headed the ball past the badly positioned Ricardo to give the Germans a 3-1 lead. However, the goal caused controversy as Ballack was judged to have pushed Paulo Ferreira when jumping to head the ball.

Portugal tried to come back into the game and threw everything at Germany in the closing stages, and scored in the 87th minute when substitute Helder Postiga headed powerfully past Ricardo from an excellent cross by winger Nani, to make the score 3-2.

But is was not to be as Germany held on, and despite Portugal’s best efforts, they could not find a way past the determined German defence, who held on to put their country into the last four of the European Championships.

Scolari has confirmed he will make eight changes to the side that lost to the Swiss, bringing back Cristiano Ronaldo - who was rumoured to miss out on the game due to a calf problem - Deco, Joao Mountinho, Ricardo Carvalho, Jose Bosingwa, Armando Petit, Simao, and Nuno Gomes.

Germany have been dealt a major blow ahead of the match, as coach Joachim Low will not be allowed to make any contact with his squad when they arrive at St. Jakob-Park, due to a one match suspension given to him by Uefa for verbally assaulting fourth official Damir Skomina of Slovenia in the game against Austria.

Low will now have watch his team from the stands in the game against Portugal, as he is not allowed in the techinal area or tunnel, and will not be allowed in the players’ dressing room. His assistant, Hans-Dieter Flick, will take the coaching responsibilties for the game.

Both Lukas Podolski and Torsten Frings are major doubts for the Germans ahead of the game, after getting injured in the match against Austria. Podolski was forced off due to a calf problem, and Frings broke a rib, but battled on to last the full 90 minutes.

Bayern Munich’s Bastian Schweinsteiger is available again after his red card in Germany’s clash with Group B winners Croatia, while Vfb Stuttgart’s new signing Jens Lehmann and Chelsea’s Michael Ballack are one booking away from suspension.

The playing surface at St.Jakob-Park has caused controversy ahead of tonight’s quarter-final, as many people have questioned the quality of the patchwork pitch after it was hastily relaid, due to the damage caused to it by the terrible weather conditions that plauged Switzerland when they encountered Turkey in the 2nd Matchday of Group A.

In 15 meetings between Portugal and Germany, Germany have seven victories compared to Portugal’s three victories.

In their last encounter, hosts Germany beat the Portuguese 3-1 in the 3rd place play-off at the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Portugal’s last win over the Germans came 8 years ago, back in Euro 2000, where a Sergio Conceicao hat-trick gave the Portuguese a 3-0 win in the group stages.

Being in the knowledge that they weren’t going to progress to the quarters regardless of the result, the Swiss made the best of it and signed off their Euro 2008 campaign with a win courtesy of star striker Hakan Yakin.

Portugal started off better than the Swiss and completely dominated the first half, as Pepe saw his effort tipped onto the crossbar by Pascal Zuberbuhler, Helder Postiga had a goal wrongly dismissed for offside, and Nani had two penalty appeals turned down.

However, following the half-time break, the Swiss came out brighter, and got a deserved lead in the 71st minute when striker Hakan Yakin latched onto Erik Derdiyok’s clever flick and fired past Ricardo.

The Swiss then doubled their lead and secured their first points of the tournament when Hakan Yakin scored his and Switzerland’s second with a well-taken penalty seven minutes from time after Tranquillo Barnetta was brought down by defender Fernando Meira.

Scolari, who is currently trying win Portugal their first ever European Championship, has agreed the offer to occupy the so far vacant managerial post at Stamford Bridge.

A club statement read: “Chelsea Football Club is delighted to confirm that Luiz Felipe Scolari will be the club’s new manager from July 1, 2008.”

Although Scolari has failed to coach at club level in Europe so far, he does have a winning pedigree in South America, winning the World Cup with Brazil, and the Copa Libertadores during his time at Gremio and Palmeiras.

It was a fantastic day in terms of weather for football, a gloriously sunny day with not a breeze of wind throughout the game, and it was a sign of things to come as both sides started the game brightly, creating several opportunities on goal in the first few minutes.

It was the Portuguese who broke the deadlock, with Deco giving his side the lead after 8 minutes, although quite argubly it was against the run of play.

But their lead was short lived as nine minutes later Libor Sionko gave the Czech Republic a much deserved equaliser to level things up at 1-1.

In the second half, Portugal pressed on and on, and regained their lead on 63 minutes when star player Cristiano Ronaldo hit a fantastic first time shot past the Czech defence and goalkeeper Petr Cech.

The Czech Republic tried to bounce back and created several opportunities, but Portugal sealed the win in injury time when Ronaldo broke free past the defence and and squared the ball past the onrushing Petr Cech and into the feet of Porto talisman Ricardo Quaresma, who slotted the ball into the empty net and seal the win for the Portuguese.

The win leaves Portugal top of Group A with 6 points and 2 wins in 2 games, and has virtually ensured their progression into the quarter-finals.

Scolari, whose contract as Portugal manager ends after Euro 2008, has been heavily linked with the currently vacant managerial position at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea have reportedly contacted Scolari’s current employers - the Portuguese Football Federation - over his availability, as the Blues are apparently keen to appoint a new manager in the coming days.

World Cup winner Scolari would appear to fit the requirements for a Chelsea manager, and although he denied admitting any interest in the move to West London, he did suggest he his open to the prospect.

“I have a contract with the Portuguese Football Federation which I will fulfil and we will see what happens at the end of that,” said Scolari.

“I will see what happens, it would be difficult to leave Portugal, if I have to do it, but I am professional and I could live in another country.”

Source: SkySports.com

Both Portugal and Czech Republic won their opening group games, but Czech captain Ujfalusi is all to aware that his side could be on the receiving end of a Portugal thrashing, and is especially aware of the threat posed by a certain Mr. Ronaldo and co.

“We are well aware that their attackers are very strong, and not just one or two,” said the Atletico Madrid ace.

“They have many fast and dangerous players and we’ll have to be very careful and attentive. Our defence will have to be impeccable.”

Source: SkySports.com

Second half goals from Pepe and Raul Meireles gave the Portuguese the win they deserved, after the Turks failed to materialise on the threat they posed in the first half.

After having a goal disallowed in the first half for offside, Portugal’s adopted Brazilian centre-half Pepe made no mistake on the hour mark by giving his side the lead through a stunning individual effort after exchanging a neat one-two with striker Nuno Gomes.

Striker Gomes then hit the post and crossbar soon after, before the second goal came in injury time when the substitute Raul Meireles completed a fine counter-attack by slotting the ball past two Turkish defenders and into the net, to wrap up an important opening win for Portugal in their Euro 2008 campaign.